The holiday gift dilemma just got easier. The Verge has released its comprehensive guide to gifts for dads who claim to have everything, featuring 30 carefully selected gadgets and gear ranging from $5 joke books to $2,298 OLED TVs. The timing couldn't be better - with Black Friday and holiday shopping season approaching, the guide offers practical solutions for one of gift-giving's toughest challenges.
The Verge just dropped the ultimate solution to holiday shopping's most dreaded question: what do you buy for the dad who insists he needs nothing? The publication's latest gift guide tackles this perennial challenge with 30 carefully curated recommendations spanning from budget-friendly dad joke books to premium home entertainment systems. The timing is strategic - launching just as retailers gear up for Black Friday and the critical holiday shopping season that can make or break annual sales figures. What sets this guide apart from typical holiday roundups is its practical approach to the "dad who has everything" problem. Rather than suggesting generic ties or coffee mugs, The Verge staffers focused on genuinely useful tech and gear that appeals to different dad archetypes. The selections range from a $5 joke book to Sony's $2,298 Bravia 8 II OLED TV, which earned recognition as 2025's top television from industry experts. Tech enthusiasts will find plenty to consider, including Apple's latest AirPods Pro 3 with heart rate monitoring ($249) and the new Nintendo Switch 2 with its 7.9-inch display and backwards compatibility ($449). But the guide doesn't stop at obvious gadget choices - it ventures into emerging categories like AI-powered cooking with the Brisk It Origin 580 smoker that can autonomously manage entire smoking sessions. The practicality extends beyond flashy tech. Lodge's pre-seasoned cast iron skillet comes in at just $18, while Marshall's Acton III Bluetooth speaker ($275) channels vintage amp aesthetics for music-loving fathers. Field Notes pocket notebooks ($15) offer analog appeal in an increasingly digital world. Consumer spending patterns show gift guides significantly influence shopping behavior, especially for difficult-to-shop-for recipients. According to retail analytics, "gift guides" search volume typically increases 400% between November and December, with tech-focused guides seeing particularly strong engagement. The Verge's approach acknowledges this by organizing products into clear price tiers, from under $30 impulse purchases to premium splurges above $400. The guide's release comes as major retailers prepare extended return policies for the holiday season. , , and other major electronics retailers typically extend return windows through January, reducing purchase anxiety for gift-buyers unsure about recipient preferences. Several featured products represent interesting market trends. The inclusion of mechanical keyboards like the Wobkey Rainy 75 ($119) reflects the growing popularity of enthusiast peripherals beyond gaming circles. Similarly, the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 ($60) addresses the specific pain point of airline entertainment systems that don't support modern wireless earbuds. Gift guides have evolved into significant revenue drivers for media companies through affiliate partnerships. While maintains editorial independence, the commercial potential of holiday shopping content drives investment in comprehensive testing and curation. The publication's reputation for thorough product reviews lends credibility to gift recommendations. Early holiday shopping data shows consumers increasingly seeking curated recommendations over algorithm-driven suggestions. The overwhelm of choice on platforms like has created demand for expert curation, particularly in tech categories where specifications and compatibility matter. Retail experts predict this holiday season will see continued preference for experiential and practical gifts over luxury items, driven by economic uncertainty and changing consumer values. focus on functional tech aligns with these trends, emphasizing products that deliver ongoing utility rather than one-time novelty.
